As noted on the Steam Users' Forums, a new patch is now available for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Bethesda's recently released RPG sequel (thanks Chris and Alex). As stated in the thread, one of the changes the patch implements is that the game can no longer be launched separately from Steam. A locked thread on the Bethesda Softworks Forums and another current thread discuss another consequence of the patch, which is that it means the game can no longer be hacked to run in Large Address Aware mode, which many users found was the solution to crashing issues and texture corruption problems. We contacted both Bethesda and Valve about whether we should expect a return of the ability to use large address awareness through a future update, but have not yet received a response.

avianflu wrote on Nov 22, 2011, 09:54:These days, alternative game purchase options, like buying a CD not tied to a network client, are dwindling. So gamers are forced to use Steam.

Skyrim is a perfect example: the retail disk version is just the Steam client installer with the actual game compressed in a Steam format.

So Yes, I love Steam just like I love my cable TV company.

With EA and other publishers joining in to maximize their profit per copy sold I think the days of untethered games are almost over. The consoles appear to be headed in this direction as well, with the notable exception of Nintendo who also hasn't really participated much in the DLC fleecing this generation.